A lot of new boats will appear at this week’s 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. Here are some of the many new models that will be introduced, make their U.S. debut, or in some cases, make their world debut.
Wellcraft 355 and 435
Wellcraft recently joined the adventure cruising category with its Wellcraft 355, which it will show off in Lauderdale along with its new Wellcraft 435.
The Wellcraft 355 was designed by naval architect Michael Peters, yacht designer Pawel Denert, and interior designer Camillo Garroni. The 355 is a fast, seaworthy outboard-powered commuter. Featuring triple Mercury or Yamaha engines for a total of 1,050 horsepower the Wellcraft 355 reaches top speeds of over 50 knots.
The 44-foot 435, which was designed by Peters and Garroni, is also powered by triple outboard engines totaling over 1,000 HP and according to the builder will be able to “go anywhere, to do anything.”
The Wellcraft 435’s bow features two large social areas with a triple sunlounger while the aft cockpit provides two lateral folding side terraces for open-air gatherings.
The protected wheelhouse features pilot and co-pilot benches for three and a galley at the deck level that connects to the aft cockpit living space. Belowdecks are two cabins with private heads, each with separate showers.
Albemarle 53 Spencer Edition
Prior to the opening of the 2020 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, North Carolina’s Albemarle Boats and Spencer Sportfish announced a partnership to build a semi-custom 53-foot Carolina boat. That boat, the Albemarle 53 Spencer Edition will now make its debut at the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
The 53 hull is vacuum infused with vinylester resin and foam core, making it Albemarle’s lightest design to date. Loaded with details and features, the first 53 is a flybridge design that combines classic Spencer styling with Albemarle innovations. The interior boasts an open salon layout, three staterooms, and two heads. An island helm arrangement, forward facing lounge, and bench seating offers a lot of seating, and the 160-square-foot cockpit features a transom fishbox, transom door, and a mezzanine design with engine room access and molded boxes that are customized to accommodate a variety of needs.
Aquila 47 Molokai Power Catamaran
According to its builder, the Aquila 47 Molokai Power Catamaran is a center console catamaran with the speed, ride and fishability required for overnight runs to the canyons, banks or islands.
The Aquila 47 Molokai has a head and shower and an air-conditioned stateroom with a queen-sized island berth. Powered by twin 600-hp or quad 400-hp Mercury Verado outboards, the Aquila 47 Molokai has a twin-stepped hull and lightweight vacuum-infused construction.
The boat features seven protected helm seats in two air-conditioned rows with state-of-the-art Raymarine electronics, C-Zone digital switching and a custom-tuned Fusion audio system.
Pressurized livewells fed by a Hooker sea chest will keep the bait alive, while large fish boxes accommodate the catch. Electric reel outlets provide power for deep-dropping, and the carbon fiber hardtop is factory reinforced for outriggers and custom towers.
Formula 457 Center Console Sport and Fish models
Following the successful introduction of the Formula 387 Center Console Sport and Fish models, the company is now introducing the Formula 457 Center Console models. At 45 feet, 7 inches (not including engines) the hull will be powered by triple Mercury 600 Verados.
The boat will feature foldaway aft seating, a large swim platform, plenty of helm seats and a hardtop that protects everyone from the elements.
Chris-Craft Catalina 28 Center Console
Chris-Craft has always prided itself on its elegant style and the new Catalina 28 Center Console will be no different. The helm features flush-mounted electronics with a 12-inch Garmin multifunction display (twin 12-inch Garmin screens are optional) with CZone Switching and is accented by high-gloss teak accents and a teak steering wheel.
The 27-foot, 11-inch hull will be powered by twin 225-hp or 300-hp outboards. Chris-Craft provides tons of options, among which are loads of colors for both hull and engines, multiple voltages, two seat configurations and details like contrasting stitching colors.
Highfield Sport 300 & ZeroJet 330
Highfield Boats continues to crank out new models. Among the newer boats the company will show off at FLIBS will be the Sport 300 and the ZeroJet 330.
The Highfield ZeroJet 330 is the world’s first production RIB equipped with electric jet propulsion and will make its U.S. debut at FLIBS. Highfield Boats collaborated with New Zealand electric jet propulsion company ZeroJet to design the 11-footer. The ZeroJet 330 offers top speeds of up to 22 knots. Twin 48-volt LiFePO4 batteries provide run times of up to 7.5 hours.
The Sport 300 is a small open water scooter for 1 to 3 people, with built in upholstered seating for two in back, an upholstered side seat, and bow seating upfront. Pre-rigged with master battery switch, navigation lighting, interior deck lighting, and automatic bilge pump, it is designed to bridge the gap between a tender and a full-bore sport boat. Powered with Tohatsu outboards it offers top speeds of 24 to 28 knots.
Nuova Jolly Marine Prince Open 33
Italy’s Nuova Jolly Marine has been building high-end RIBs for the European market for decades, but the Prince Open 33 will be new to most U.S. buyers.
The Prince Open 33 is a 32-foot, 3-inch luxury RIB that can accommodate twin 350-hp outboards. It features a large stern platform, a dinette with an electric table at the stern that can be converted to a sunbed, a cabin with a berth for two people and a separate space for a marine toilet.
The hull, upholstery and tubes can be highly customized with various materials and colors. Options include teak accents, a ski mast, a sink and stovetop, refrigerator, and Bimini.
Beneteau Antares 12
The Beneteau Antares 12 is the new flagship in the line and features hull windows that bring plenty of natural light inside. The boat has three outdoor lounge areas: the cockpit, the forward sun pad, and a vast flybridge with a corner sofa and a fully fitted outdoor galley cabinet.
Inside, the owner cabin has its own ensuite bathroom, as does the VIP guest cabin. A modular third cabin can be used as a single or double berth, or can be used for stowage. The wheelhouse has a convertible salon that allows up to eight people to stay overnight.
Powered by three 300-hp Mercury Verados, the Antares 12 has an integrated joystick for easy maneuvering. An optional Seakeeper gyro will make life aboard much more comfortable.
Maritimo M60 Flybridge Motor Yacht
Australian luxury motor yacht manufacturer Maritimo, will have its M60 Flybridge Motor Yacht to FLIBS.
The M60’s 60-foot, 10-inch LOA hull is powered by standard twin Volvo Penta D13-800-hp engines with the option for Volvo Penta D13-1000-hp or Scania Di16 1150-hp upgrades. Draft is only 4 feet, 4 inches, opening up a lot of anchorage possibilities for a vessel of this size.
The M60 has a three-stateroom, two ensuite bathroom layout and offers an abundance of stowage options for water toys, fishing gear, safety gear and tenders via an aft garage lazarette. The garage has the ability to house a 10-foot, 3-inch tender or a two-person jet ski when optioned with a 350kg rear davit. The M60 also offers tender storage options forward with a mounted 770-pound davit.
Maritimo says the defining feature of the Maritimo M-Series is its enclosed flybridge skylounge with internal staircase.The climate-controlled flybridge skylounge incorporates a pair of flybridge lounging areas, with a forward cruising lounge and an aft TV lounge that can be converted into an additional sleeping berth.
Sirena Yachts 78
The Sirena 78 is an 82-foot enclosed flybridge passagemaker and the latest model from the Turkish builder. Designed by Argentinian naval architect German Frers with an interior from Dutch designer Cor D. Rover, the Sirena 78 is a semi-displacement yacht with four guest cabins that can reach speeds of up to 24 knots.
The fiberglass hull has a CE certification class (A) and can navigate the open ocean. At about 12 knots the 78’s range stretches out past 1,000 nautical miles with Sirena claiming a maximum range of around 1,500 nautical miles at 10 knots.
The 78 has impressive interior space for a boat of its length. Frers drew a high-volume, 21-foot beam, that includes a full-beam his-and-hers master or a master suite that shares that beam with a walk-in closet.
It’s a cruiser that Rover gave the interior and amenities of a modern shoreside home.
Sunreef Power Eco 80
The Sunreef Power Eco 80 is a fully-electric power cat that can cruise silently and according to its builder has infinite range. Coated from waterline to Bimini roof with more than 2,000 square feet of solar panels it is propelled by twin 180kW electric motors and can also be outfitted with hybrid engines.
The Sunreef Power Eco 80’s flybridge can incorporate a circular Jacuzzi, bordered by a full-beam bank of daybeds and a four-seat bar. The builder says almost every aspect of the Sunreef Power Eco 80 is fully customizable.
With a beam of almost 40 feet the Sunreef Power Eco 80 is cavernous. It sports an expansive flybridge, an aft deck that hosts up to 16 people, and a huge main saloon complete with a dining table for 10.
The aft swim platform lowers on hydraulics, forming a full-beam beach club. To top it all, the Sunreef Power Eco 80 has two staircases and can fly a kite to extend range and save energy.
Four Winns TH 36
Italy’s Garroni Design Studio pulled inspiration from Four Winns’ bowriders for the TH36. The cat’s twin hulls can accommodate up to 15 people for a day on the water. The forward cockpit can accommodate six passengers while the open-air wheelhouse has a port double seat and a captain chair to starboard. The galley includes stowage, refrigerators, a sink, and an optional cooktop. The cockpit offers seating and tables on sliders in three different layouts for additional passengers.
Outfitted with twin 300-hp or 350-hp Mercury engines or twin 300-hp Yamaha engines, the TH36 comes standard with joystick piloting. The TH36 offers many customizable features including colors and materials plus roof racks and rod holders.
The lower cabins include two full suites furnished with queen beds, stowage, privacy blinds, and private heads equipped with separate showers.
The Solara S-310 Sport Coupe
The Solara S-310 Sport Coupe is a feature-rich 31-foot coupe built on a double-stepped deep-V hull with laminar flow interrupters and powered by twin Yamaha F300 outboards. It includes twin Garmin 8612 chartplotters, a Bluetooth-enabled Fusion stereo system, auto-leveling Lenco trim tabs, bow and stern cameras, and a Helm Master level 3 autopilot. All of this equipment is standard. Premium Lithium (LiFePO4) house batteries provide extended power while away from the dock.
The boat features three distinct on-deck social spaces. The large cockpit features seating for 6, including fold-out seats and two lounges. The convertible sunset lounge can face both forward and aft, and the transforming dinette backrest flips to become a lounge. In the cabin is a full galley with ample storage, an L-shaped dinette, LED edge lighting, lighted speakers, and a sunroof.
A portside walkthrough allows access to the bow lounge. Bow and stern sunshades are standard. Belowdecks, there is a climate-controlled forward stateroom and head with shower.
The boat has a full suite of fishing features, including gunwale-mounted rod holders, a livewell, raw-water washdown, and available outriggers.
Reina Boats Live L44 DR
For those looking for a waterfront condo capable of changing views at the drop of a hat, Reina Boats will have the world debut of its new “Houseyacht” line with the Reina Live L44 DR.
Powered by twin 125-hp outboards, the L44 DR Houseyacht has a 300-mile range while cruising at 8 knots and offers 448 square feet of living space.
The Reina Live L44 DR is the largest and most luxurious model the company offers, with room and functionality for permanent liveaboard cruisers or entertainers who want to bring people on their boat to party and enjoy themselves in nature. The L44 DR is 44 feet long, with a foredeck, living area, dining area, full kitchen, 1 bathroom, and 2 cabins. A circular staircase connects to the expansive second-story deck with hardwood floors and glass safety railings.
The L44 DR splits the larger master cabin into two smaller cabins, to sleep a total of up to five people. The Reina Live features a full, C-shape wraparound kitchen with both indoor and outdoor dining areas. The L44 includes one bathroom and one shower. The bathroom is split, so that the shower and toilet can be used separately at the same time.
Carolina Skiff E-Series
As Carolina Skiff says on its website, “This isn’t your grandfather’s old Carolina Skiff!” The Carolina Skiff E-Series is a reimagined version of the company’s classic DLX, DLV & JVX models with improved fit & finish. the company says the E-Series boats were re-engineered with better aesthetics while retaining the classic Carolina Skiff look.
The E-Series models use a new modern construction process that includes a fully integrated foam-filled fiberglass stringer system for better durability, stability and affordability.
The DLX E21, DLX E24 and JVX E18 are already available in center console models, tiller handle models and kit boat hull models. The DLV E19, DLV E21, DLV E23 and JVX E20 models will be made available soon and a new fee hull model and other series are also being promised.
Grady-White Canyon 386
The Grady-White Canyon 386 is a 37-foot center console with an extra wide beam that has enough room for four deluxe contoured helm chairs behind the wraparound windshield, an expansive cockpit with a lean bar filled with features, and a true weekend cabin with separate head.
Powered by triple outboards for as much as 1,350 ponies, the 386 is a saltwater fishing machine, a family-oriented day boat and a weekend cruiser. Grady-White doesn’t offer a lot of optional features on the 386. That’s because almost everything you could imagine comes standard with the boat.
Saxdor 270 GTO, 320 GTO, and 320 GTC
Saxdor Yachts was recently recognized as “the fastest-growing brand in Europe.” The builder will bring three of its models, the 270 GTO, 320 GTO, and 320 GTC, to FLIBS for the company’s U.S. debut.
Saxdor has experienced exponential growth since its inception, producing over 1,000 boats since 2019 while expanding its reach to over 100 dealers in more than 50 countries.
The builder specializes in outboard-powered adventure boats, a class that continues to gain market share in the U.S and the rest of the world. MarineMax will be Saxdor’s dealer in the American market.
The Saxdor 320 GTC has a low center of gravity, low weight, a sharp entry, and a twin-stepped hull that can handle rough sea conditions. It comes with various Mercury engine options that includes standard twin 225-hp engines or a twin 300-hp set-up for greater performance.
Valo Hyperfoil
Is it a boat? Not really, but the Valo Hyperfoil is noteworthy because of its potential to make the noisy personal watercraft a thing of the past.
At first glance the Valo may look like a conventional jet ski, but according to Boundary Layer Technologies, the tech start-up behind the Valo, it’s not. Instead of bouncing off the waves while the internal combustion engine makes that surging, whiny, loud noise, the builder says the Valo should fly effortlessly above the waves with zero noise, zero emissions and zero wake.
The Valo’s Hyperfoil flight will be controlled by Boundary Layer Technologies’ proprietary Skyride flight control software, which according to the builder will micro-adjust the foils and surfaces hundreds of times a second. Slated to reach speeds approaching 30 knots, the Valo will be constructed out of carbon fiber, titanium and ultra-high strength stainless steel with a vegan leather seat. The builder says the Valo will operate for more than two hours on a single charge with a range of more than 60 nautical miles at 27 knots. The foil and drive legs all lift, making the Valo easy to transport on a standard trailer. The first units are expected to be delivered in early 2024.
